Politically Incorrect: The Unofficial Guide to Inauguration 2009

The official themes and hyperbolic rhetoric of presidential inauguration seasons can seem to blend together. Barack Obama’s campaign for change echoes words spoken 16 years ago, when Bill Clinton reminded listeners that our nation requires “dramatic change from time to time. This is our time. Let us embrace it.” Inauguration slogans have ranged from the promising—Richard Nixon’s “Bring us together again”—to the self-congratulatory—James Madison’s “nobility of the American people” or W’s “Celebrating Freedom, Honoring Service.”

Obama’s theme, “Renewing America’s Promise,” hints at a different type of inauguration, one looking towards the future with one foot firmly planted in the past. To prepare for the millions who will descend on Washington to experience Obama’s powers of renewal, FM brings those lucky enough to be in the Registrar’s good graces a map to navigate the crowds, balls and bars.

National Mall: For the first time ever the entire length of the National Mall will be opened to the public during the inauguration. Formerly a staging ground for the day’s parade, it will be flanked on either side by giant TV screens allowing everyone to view the swearing-in ceremony. But those in attendance should be wary: according to CNN, if the expected 5 million people actually do show up, each person will have approximately one square foot to stand on.



Inaugural Balls: Ten official balls will take place throughout the D.C. area, although this spot, the convention center, will house the unprecedented Neighborhood Inaugural Ball, which promises to be a more open and accessible (read: cheap) celebration. Obamamaniacs take note: while the ten balls won’t be the only festivities of the evening, they are the only ones that the Obamas and Bidens are guaranteed to attend.



Bars: Old Ebbitt Bar and Grill, the oldest saloon in Washington, is close to the White House and across the street from the site of Rhodes Tavern, the watering hole where British generals toasted one another as Washington burned in 1812. During the inauguration, however, Washington nightlife will be alive and well: bars will be open all night and serving alcohol until 4 a.m.



Museums: In celebration of the election the Smithsonian museums will be featuring presidentially-themed exhibitions, including “Presidents in Waiting”, “President Lincoln’s Inaugural Ball,” and “First Ladies at the Smithsonian.” The Newseum, the only museum fronting the parade route, will open its balconies for viewers.